Stages of Cancer of the Uterus
Diagnosis helps to establish the staging of uterine cancer.
Stage I and II are early disease and III & IV late disease and determines the prognosis and treatment outcomes.
Staging is done by removing a little of the uterine tissue and examining it closely. It helps to decide if the cancer is localized or if it has spread.
Stage I - The cancer has affected only the uterine body and not the cervix.
Stage II - The cancer has spread through out the uterus and the cervix.
Stage III - The cancer has spread beyond the uterus, but has not affected the bladder or rectum. Cancerous lymph nodes may be seen in the pelvic region.
Stage IV - The cancer has spread to the bladder, rectum or other body parts.
Another form of staging is used by doctors is called the TNM staging. It stands for Tumour size, Node status and Metastasis. It is followed universally.
